Atmospheric analysis for airdata calibration on research aircraftIn-flight airdata calibrations are used to determine the aerodynamic influence of an airplane on pitot-static pressure measurements of altitude and speed. Conventional flight-test calibration techniques are briefly reviewed and meteorological analysis methods for estimating calibration reference values of atmospheric conditions are described. There are cases where some conventional in-flight techniques are not entirely satisfactory for research aircraft because of added equipment requirements or flight envelope and location limitations. In these cases, atmospheric wind and pressure information can be used to complement conventional techniques. Accuracy of the atmospheric measurements and the variability of upper-air winds and pressure values are discussed. Results from several flight research aircraft show that wind reference calibration is generally less accurate than calibration accuracy standards for civil and research aircraft. Examples of pressure reference altimetry derived from meteorological analyses are also presented for a variety of flight research programs. These flight data show that the reference pressure accuracy provided by meteorological analyses is usually within civil aircraft and flight research airdata calibration accuracy standards. Meteorological analyses altimetry is particularly useful when it is not feasible to restrict the test airplane altitude, location, or maneuver envelope.
Document ID
19920043122
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Ehernberger, L. J. (NASA Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Facility Edwards, CA, United States)
Haering, Edward A., Jr. (NASA Flight Research Center Edwards, CA, United States)
Lockhart, Mary G. (NASA Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Facility Edwards, CA, United States)
Teets, Edward H. (PRC, Inc. Edwards, CA, United States)